Pupils aged between four and 11 from six schools in South Tyneside will be nominated for the award by their teachers, and the winner will receive a certificate and be presented with a shield which they will hold for a month. Local businesses are backing the scheme with a meal at McDonald's, a goodie bag from Asda and two cinema tickets for the winning child and an adult.
A spokeswoman for Northumbria police said the award, launched last week, will be for punctual school attendance, politeness to others, trying hard in lessons and good behaviour in and out of school. Community Beat manager PC Andy Wilkinson, who devised the scheme, added, 'We wanted a project that any child could win, not because they are clever but because they are well behaved. We also wanted the children to get to know their local officer and see them as someone approachable who can help them.'
John Dew, headmaster of Whitburn Primary School, one of the schools taking part, said, 'Anything that promotes citizenship within the school is most welcome and this award will strengthen links with Northumbria Police and local businesses.'
He said parents gave the scheme 'a very positive reception' when it was announced at the school's annual awards ceremony last week. 'We have always involved the police in the school and have had the village policeman in to postcode the bikes of children and their parents and to talk to five-and six-year-olds about life skills,' Mr Dew added.
